South Africa Women cruised to victory by 105 runs in their first Twenty20 international against Ireland Women in Cape Town.
The hosts won the toss and chose to bat first, but Jane Maguire removed Faye Tunnicliife after just one run.
South Africa recovered well courtesy of captain Laura Wolvaardt, who led the way as she registered 115 not out including 15 fours and four sixes.
Wolvaardt recorded the seventh fastest century in Women's T20 International history, needing just 52 deliveries to get to the milestone.
Sune Luus added 81 more runs as the World Cup runners-up set a big target of 221 for Ireland, which they fell well short of.
Lloyd Tennant's side had a difficult opening to their chase as they lost two wickets inside the first over with Amy Hunter and Orla Prendergast dismissed.
Captain Gaby Lewis (30) and Leah Paul (34) steadied the ship, but Ireland were all out for 115 after 18 overs with Luus claiming four wickets.
The teams will face off again in the second T20 on Sunday in Paarl at 12:00 GMT.
Bangladesh secured victory over Ireland by eight wickets in the decisive third Twenty20 international between the sides in Chattogram.
Tanzid Hasan Tamim equalled the record for most number of catches from an outfielder in T20 cricket with five.
To make it more remarkable, all five of his catches came in consecutive Irish wickets as Bangladesh limited the visitors to 117 all out with one ball remaining.
After winning the second T20 on Sunday to level the series, Bangladesh were too strong for Ireland in their innings and needed just 13.4 overs to score 119 and win by eight wickets.
Ireland won the first match between the sides by a convincing 39 runs before the home side levelled the series with a four-wicket victory on Saturday.
In Tuesday's decider, Tim Tector was the first Irish batter dismissed on 17, and his brother Harry was the next to fall on five with Ireland at a half-century.
Lorcan Tucker was bowled by Shak Mahedi Hasan to be out on one run, and Curtis Campher followed on nine before Paul Stirling fell in the 11th over to leave Ireland on 73-5.
Tanzid then caught Gareth Delaney (10), Mark Adair (eight), Matthew Humphreys (one), George Dockrell (19) and Ben White (five) in five consecutive Irish wickets.
Mustafizur Rahman was the pick of the Bangladesh bowlers with figures of 3-11, and White's dismissal left Ireland all out on 117 with one ball remaining.
Despite the losses of Saif Hassan (19) and Litton Das (seven) in the opening five overs, Bangladesh were comfortable with the bat and 55 from the impressive Tanzid and 33 from Hossain Emon powered Bangladesh to 119 and an eight-wicket victory.
It was a successful series for Bangladesh, who also dominated the two-match Test series between the sides before the three T20s.
Bangladesh eventually overcame a spirited Ireland on the final day of the second Test to claim a 2-0 series win in Mirpur.
They won the second Test by 217 runs, having claimed victory in the first Test by an innings and 47 runs.
Heinrich Mallan's Ireland side knew they were up against it on Sunday, as they needed 333 more runs on day five to spring an almighty surprise.
While they fell short of their 509 target, Curtis Campher impressed as he dug in for 71 not out from 259 balls.
He was partnered by Test debutant Gavin Hoey, who enjoyed a 104-ball stay that brought 37 runs, including four fours, as he and Campher pushed on into the middle session of the day.
Shortly after lunch, Ireland's total had become the highest fourth-innings Test score in Dhaka by a visiting side.
Bangladesh eventually wrapped up victory and the series in the 60th over of the day as Hoey and then Matthew Humphreys were dismissed by Hasan Murad.
Ireland ended all out for 291 as Murad finished with 4-44.
"At the start of the day the main word we had was fight," said Ireland captain Andrew Balbirnie.
"We knew we would be up against it for most of the day but the application by Curtis and Gavin was really amazing and even Jordan [Neill], the way he played, but particularly Curtis to be out there for as long as he was.
"A lot of resilience but at the same time, we were definitely outplayed, and Bangladesh were deserving of their win."
The second Test will be followed by three T20 internationals, the first of which takes place on Thursday, 27 November.
Ireland's Andy McBrine took all four Bangladesh wickets to fall on day one of the second Test but it was the hosts who dominated in Mirpur.
Mushfiqur Rahim ended 99 not out, with Litton Kumer Das, the other unbeaten batter on 47 as Bangladesh closed on 292-4.
After the home side won the toss, Shadman Islam and Mahmudul Hasan Joy put on 52 for the first wicket, before McBrine had Shadman out lbw, after a review.
Joy was out caught for 34 runs, to leave the hosts 83-2 and Najmul Hossain Shanto was next to go, bowled by McBrine for eight.
A fourth-wicket partnership of 107 between Mominul Haque (63) and Mushfiqur put Bangladesh in the ascendency once again at 202-4, before the former became McBrine's fourth victim, caught by captain Andrew Balbirnie.
Mushfiqur and Das added a further 90 before the close of play to consolidate Bangladesh's dominance.
Ireland's Sargent steps back from internationalspublished at 16:40 BST 23 September
16:40 BST 23 September
Image source, Sportsfile
Image caption,
Freya Sargent made her Ireland debut in 2023
Ireland spin bowler Freya Sargent has announced she will take an indefinite break from international cricket for personal reasons.
The 19-year-old made her Ireland debut in 2023, racking up 32 appearances across white ball formats taking 33 wickets, and was nominated for the ICC Women's Emerging Cricketer of the Year award in 2024.
After returning from injury earlier this year, Sargent's most recent appearance came in Ireland's T20 World Cup European qualifier in August.
"Freya has been a valued member of the senior performance squad for the past three years, making a significant contribution both on and off the field. She has been an integral part of the team," said Cricket Ireland's director of high performance Graeme West.
"Cricket Ireland will continue to support Freya during this time. The team management unit are all agreed this is the best option available to Freya.
"Player wellbeing is paramount to us and takes precedence over everything else."
Image source, Getty Images
